Shown here in his short program, Max Aaron competes at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Omaha on Friday. / Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

by Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports

by Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports

OMAHA â?? Max Aaron didn't even dream about the moment. It wasn't even a passing thought heading into the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. National champion? No way.

And so when Aaron, 20, left CenturyLink Arena with a gold medal around his neck, he was just as surprised as everyone else in the place. In one of the more unexpected results in U.S. championships history, Aaron announced his arrival on the national stage in a bold fashion by landing two quad salchows in the opening jumps of his free skate.

The 2011 junior champion won the gold with 255 points. Ross Miner landed a quad salchow and took the silver (251.29) and strong favorite Jeremy Abbott was relegated to third after falling on his quad (249.33).

Last year, Aaron, who's from Scottsdale, Ariz., finished eighth. After his short program, he sat in fourth place. "I didn't think of ever medaling," he said. "I never thought of me being a national champion."

His coach Tom Zakrajsek had more confidence. "I kind of thought in the back of my mind he could be national champion," said Zakrajsek, who added that Aaron's next step is to grow artistically. "Max is a work in progress."

Wearing a red shirt, black fingerless gloves and the bravado to match, Aaron skated to the music of "West Side Story" and his spirited program made the crowd snap their fingers along with him.

Aaron trains in Colorado Springs at the same rink with his friend, Patrick Chan, the two-time world champion from Canada. Chan has helped him along the way. "He's taught me how to compete, what it's like to be on the world stage. He's told me the experiences he's went through, not only in training but in competition," Aaron said about Chan. "He's told me what it's like to be at an event with great men, putting out quads and clean programs, every single program, every single second. â?¦ I know what to expect from the top men out there today."

Though Aaron has scant international experience, at least he has a quad. When asked if his jumps compete with the world's best, Aaron didn't hesitate. "Definitely," he said. "I think that consistency on the quadruple sal has come very far and the quadruple toe is there too, but we're not ready to put it out there yet."

Given the number of the world's top male skaters who are landing quads at a dizzying rate and the USA's dearth -- Americans only landed three quads cleanly during this past Grand Prix season â?? Aaron's four-rotation jumps made U.S. skating fans jump for joy.

"To be really, truly competitive, you have to have the quad in short and long," Miner said. "This year is the first year where it's become apparent that the quad is incredibly important. It's going to continue into next year." Consider that at Saturday's European championships, winner Javier Fernandez of Spain landed three quads in his free skate to win.

Though Abbott has the most international experience, his error-filled free skate likely cost him a spot on the world championship team. As soon as he finished his program, Abbott, a three-time national champ, looked as if he wanted to rewind the previous four minutes and 30 seconds. Not only did he fall on his opening jump, he also made two other major mistakes, including doubling a triple salchow, the easiest jump in his program.

When he finished his skate, Abbott pounded his fists on his forehead. What was going through his head? "Stupid bleeping triple salchow," he said.